Tractor.



W. C. ZELLE.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION PILBD APR.1, 1912.

1,130,863-, Patented M3112, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. C. ZELLE.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION PILBL APR.1.1912.

ly Patented Mar.2,1915.

S-SHEETSSHEET 2.

Y um

"va/'w W. C. ZELLE.

TRAGTOR APPLIGATION FILED APR.1, 1912.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

/cj EWI/eww, Wa'laifz ZeZZe,

fifi

ST. LDU'IS, MSSOUBI', ASSGNOE/t T() PLANTATION EQUIEMENT TRACE GR,

ipplication filed April i, 1912.

T @Zire/1mm t may concern:

3e it known that i, i/VILLXAM C. ZELLE, e citizen of the United States,and a resident oiz the city of St. Louisend State of Missouri, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Tractors7 of which thefollowing is fr speciicstion.

This invention relates to tractors for farm and plantation Work.

lt has for its principal objects to produce a tractor adapted forgeneral agricultural. purposes but more z iorticularly r'or use in tlcultivation or' growing crops, such as sugar carie, corn and otherplants that are arranged in rows and have to oe cultivated after growingto a conside 'able lieiglit; to produce e straNieuwer-str1icture givingit ioaximum clear: ce under the body frame without materiel raising itscenter of grrnrityg to proi'ioe for the application and mounting oit'agricultural implements and attachments 0? various kinds interchangeablvto and upon one nucl the same tractor; to secure stability of structurewithout unciue weight; to secure a short Wheel-base to maize the machineas a. Whole iexible so that it r5.1 eole to pass over uneven groundwithout producing err excessive stress in ot itsiparts: and to attaincertain other ad runtagl'cs wiil hereinafter more fuliy appear.

The invention consists in the parts and m the arrarigemeiits ausicombinations ci parts hereinafter describir-.ci and ciaimed. fn theuccompanyiug drawings which iformpart of this specification andwherelike symbols refer to like parts Wherever they oemig-ligure 1 is stop planof e tractor illustrating an, embodiment of the in veur-ion;Fig", 2 is s side elevation; Fig. .8 is :i front elevation; and Fig. iis s, rear eleration, portions being broken away.

'The tractor illustrated comprises longitudinal cody or platform framemembers 1 extending throughout 'the entire length oi the iriachiue andconnected by u series ot transverse members 2. At the trout end or' themachine and also some distance inwardly therefrom, the cross memberslere arranged in two spaced pairs. The rear cross merrr specification ofLetters .-Zsteut.

ber is extended ou opposite sides of the platm form iframe as atLorigitudinal meub bers 3 are secured at one end to the extensions 2Band here their opposite end portions ollset inwardly as at 3a, sindsecured to the longitudinal members Short transverse members i connectthe iriembers l and. 3 edjaceiit to the offset portions of thelatter.

Depending 'from the iongituflinal members l and members 3 are verticalmembers 5 which are secured. at their lower ends to lmigituclinalmembers 6 and 7 correspondingrespectivelyv to the longituriiiial membersl and members 3. These, side frame constructions constitute periestelsor supporting; frames. iie jiront end portions of theA members (i areturned up diagoiialiy :md secured to the platform members et the frontemi of the machine so' as to brace the side pedestal frames and also tomaire clearance for the steering wheels to be presently de scribed. Themembers 7 are ofiset inwaroliy .ausl turned upwardly, as at 'V27 andsecured to the diagonal portions of the members 6. The pedestal framesare also braced by suit able side diagonal braces 8 and transversediagonal braces A truss 9;* issecureti at the rear euri or' the embers'1. This truss is formed by a single anglerois brace 9b having its endssecured to the frame members l., and its medial porties fastened.

to a plate 9C which is rigiiy rear transverse memoer 2.

The traction wheels i() are mo'uiited Witib in the pedestai. frames onshort arlesl "il 'jourri'aled in bearings i2 secureri on the lower framemembers 6 and 7. The shafts il have sprocket wheels 13 thereon Wlliehare driven by sprocket chains' 11i- The sprocket chains are in turndriven by sprocket wheels 15 on the ends of an ordinary diviriefidriving shaft mounted in a tubular casing having e 'mifidle enlargementl? containing the usuel diti'ereutial gear unich connects :md drives thetwo shaft sections as is, obvious. The differential gear is connected,through the medium of suitable transmission gearing housed in n casing18, to the propeller shaft 19 which is iuturn connected in an obvioussecured to the manner'tc/ the crank shaft of en oriiinery internalcombustion or other motor 20 mounted on the front portion of theplatform frame. All of these power elements, as well as the radiator21,may be of any obvious or desirable construction and arrangement.i:therefore it is deemed unnecessary to illustrate or describe them indetail. i

'the front portion of the platform frame is mounted on an auxiliarycarrier frame. 'lhe auxiliary carrier frame as shown coinpriseslongitudinal side members 22 having horizontal uppler and lower portionspreferabiy cast integrally with vertical struts or connecting portionsThe transverse members 'Zi of this frame are also preferably formedintegrally. They are substantially S-shape and are bolted or otherwiserigidly secured to the ends of the side members 22, as at 25. 'lhepeculiar' shape of thc members 2l gives the required strength andrigidity to the structure, while the large openings allow it tooscillate about the centers or studs 20 when going over uneven groundwithout striking the longitudinal members 1 of the platform frame, andthe narrow middle portion or waist provides the necessary clearance att` i middle of the m a ch ine.

rlhe auxiliary frame transverse members 24e are swiveled centrallyon'studs '20 mounted between the transverse members-2 of the respectivespaced pairs at the front portion of the platform frame. thelongitudinal side members 1 of the platform frame extending through theopenings in said members 2li. rlfhe studs 26 are made tubular andarranged in axial alinement with the crank shaft of the motor Q0 andpropeller lshaft 1i), so that either of said shafts may extendtherethrough.. rlhis arrangement permits of an independent rockingmovement of the auxiliary carrier frame with respect to the platform ormain body frame without interfering with the operation off-the shafts. l

Steering wheels 27 are jpurnaled in forked holders or yokes 28 havingvertical shanks 29 centrally disposed above the wheels and swiveled invertical bearings in the middle of the side members of the auxiliarycar'- rier frame. The shank of the steeringwheel-holder on one side ofthe machine is provided with a knuckle-bar 30 which is connectedl by arod 31 to a knuckle-bar 32 on the shaft 33 of asuitable power mechanismhaving also as a. part a vertical operating shaft provided with a handwheel 35. Preferably, the operating shaft 2511 is on a line through themiddle of the traction wheel and steering wheel on that side of themachine and `it is provided wiilh a vertical sighting rod 36 to be usediiifconjunction with a similar rod 37 extending up axially from theshank of the steering wheel, so that the tractor may be steered in astraight line across a field by keeping the sighting rods in line with aixed mark somewhere upon or about the iield.

A seat 38 is provided in convenient position at one side of the steeringwheel for the driver when the machine is being propelled forward, and asimilar seat 39 is provided oppositely to be used when the machine ispropelled backward.

Controlling levers and devices have not been illustrated as the same maybe of any obvious or desirable construction and arrangement and form nopart of the present invention. So, too, it is deemed unnecessary toillustrate any of the attachn'ients and implements to be carried orpropelled by the tractor, as they may be of any desirable form such asdisclosed in my application Serial No. 70l,037, filed Junel 17, 1012.llowever, it is to be here noted that various implements and devices forbreaking and tilling the soil, for the cultivation of growing crops, andfor farm and plantation work in general, may be attached to oi mountedupon the tractor interchangeably. ll or this purpose brackets 40 areprovided at the rear of the platform, and similar brackets 41 on thelower rear portions 'of the pedestal frames. Bearings l2 may be providedat the rear of the machine for the mounting of rotatoiy shafts fordriving certain power actuated devices which may be attached to thetractor. i

The different attachments may be of any usual construction andarrangement or specially constructed and arranged for ready connectionand interchange. The tractor may also be used as a carriage for thegathering and loading mechanism set forth in United States LettersPatent granted to me, Nos. 9Std-92 and 1,005,494. iiiny suitable powertransmission mechanism 43 may be connected to the propeller shaft ormotor at a point between the motor and the transmission gear 18 of thedriving mechanism for the tractor, so that power attachments may beoperated independently of said driving mechanism.

By the construction and arrangement of tractor herein set forth, theplatform or main body frame can be mounted suliiciently high to give therequired-fclearance in straddie-row cultivation withoutraising-thementer of gravity of the machine. tsm-too, as the framestructure obviatcs the necessity of using wheels of large diameter tosecure the proper elevation of the platform, a short wheel base isobtained. Hence, the tractor can be turned in small space.

lin the structure shown in the drawings the height ofthe center ofgravity is above inserisce the ground about onehal the transversedistance across the .machine between the treads of the wheels and aboutthree-fourths the distance from the ground to the .bottoni of theplatform trarne The preponderance of weight is considerably below theplatform traine owing to the arrangement and weight of the side underframing and also the weiht of the wheels. The only part of the machineprojecting above t ie platform frame an appreciable distance is themotor whose Weight is considerably less than the combined weight of theparts below the platform frame. rlhus, for example, .in cases Where itis desirable to have the furrows six feet apart, the platform can have aclearance of four feet above the `ground and the center of gravity willhe about three feet thereahove.

Obviously, the tractor admits of considerA able modification Withoutdeparting from the invention. Therefore, l do not wish to be limited tothe exact construction and ar rangement shown.

What l claim is:

l. i tractor comprising a platform frame,

two downwardly extending side frames se cured to said platform trainenear one end oit each side thereof, an axle supported" 4between the tivoside trames on each side of said platform trarne, a traction Wheelmounted on each of said axles, an, auxiliary traine 'pivotally connectedto said platform traine at a ilioint hetween the sides of said platform'traine near the other end thereof, said auxiliary traine being adaptedto swing vertically, a steering Wheel swiveled on said auxiliary trainenear each side of said plati'ori'n frame, said rtractor having anunobstructed clearance between the underside oi' said platform frame andthe underside of said auxiliary frame and the ground throughout thelength ot' said tractor.

tractor of the character described, comprising a platform frame providednear one end with depending side frames and having a clearance from theground to its underside unobstructed throughout its length between dside frames, traction wheels mountedwithin and suinoorting` said sidetrames, and an auxiliary carrier frame supporting the opposite endportion. said platform trame, said auxiliarycarrier trarne.

being supported on `wheels at its sides and having a clearance under itthe same as the platform frame, the clear undersides of said llzittorxntraine and auxiliary carrier frame being in a plane above the center ofgravity of the entire machine.

A tractor comprising a; platform frame having side extensionsadjacentito one end, pedestal under'franies supporting said sideextensions of the platform frame, traction Wheels mounted Within saidpedestal frentes,

dial longitudinal swivel connection between.

said platform traine and said auxiliary carrier trarne, and steeringWheels having holders vsi `veled vertically in said .carrier iframe inline With said traction wvl/reels,

5. A tractor comprising,n aplatforin having rigid pedestal side framesadjacent 'to one end, transverse shafts mounted onsaid pedestal frames,traction Wheels mounted on said shafts Within said pedestal frames, anauxiliary carrier trarne having lu-shaped transverse members whose Waistportions are svviveled medically to said platform., and steering 1wheelshaving a vertical swivel mounting in the side members of said auxiliarycarrier 6. il. i ractor core prisi'f'ig a niais platform, said platformcomprising longi udinal traine members and transverse ,e meinhers, andan auxiliary carrier it dial longitudinal pivotal connection with theo'j'iposite end portion oli-said "platform,

'and a steering runningjgear supporting the side members of saidamiiiiaryy carrier trarne intermediate the ends thereoi,

8. ln a tractor, a plattform trame coinlit) prising longitudinal sidemembers ezitendf' ing the length thereof and transverse memhersconnecting said longitudinal side inemlners, said platform frame havinglat-eral extensions adjacent to `one end, comprising longitudinal outermembers and transverse members connecting them with the longitudinalside memlo'ers of the platform frame proper,

turned inwardly and secured to said plat one end of said outer membersloeingl form members, pedestal frames comprising vertical memberssecured at their upper ends to the respective longitudinal members ofthe platform frame proper and said lateral extensions, and at theirlower ends to members corresponding to said upper longitudinal members,respectively, the lower longitudinal members under the longitudinalmembers of the platform frame proper being turned up diagonally andsecured thereto. s,

9. A tractor comprising a frame, two longitudinal members rigidlyconnectedto said frame, said longitudinal members being lo cated neareach side ot' said frame, and adjacent to the rear end thereof, adownwardly extending pedestal frame rigidly secured to said frame neareach side thereof, a downwardly extending auxiliary pedestal framerigidly secured to each of said longitudi nal members, a traction wheelmounted between each pedestal frame and the corresponding auxiliarypedestal frame, and steering wheels supporting said frame near the frontend thereof, said tractor having an unobstructed clearance between saidpedestal frames below said frame to the ground.

10. ln a tractor, a main frame having two downwardly extending pedestalframes" secured to its rear, two auxiliary pedestal frames extendingparallel with said pedestal frames, braces connecting each 'auxiliarypedestal frame to said main frame and to the corresponding pedestalframe, and a traction wheel mounted between each pedes .tal frame andthe corresponding auxiliary` pedestal fraznes, the space between saidpedestal frames and below said main frame to the ground being-gunobstructed.

l1. ln a tractor, a main frame, down wardly extendingl braced pedestal:frames secured to the rear part of said main frame, braces connectingsaid pedestal frames to said main frame, auxiliary pedestal framesextending parallel with said pedestal frames, braces connecting eachauxiliary pedestal frame to said main frame, traction wheels mountedbetween each pedestal frame and the corresponding auxiliary pedestalframe, and an auxiliary frame having a high clearance at its middle andmounted to oscillate vertically on said main frame and steering wheelssupporting said auxiliary frame.

12. A tractor comprising a main `frame, traction wheels supporting saidmainframe, an auxiliary frame pivotally connected to said main frame tooscillate vertically, said auxiliary frame comprising two pairsfot'Vertically spaced longitudinal side members and transverse membersconnected to, the corresponding ends of said longitudinallside members,said transverse members having substantially the shape of a ligure 3,and a` pleases steering-wheel holder swiveled vertically each pair ofsaid longitudinal side members.'

13. ln a tractor, a main frame, traction wheels mounted on said mainframe, an aux iliaryl frame comprising a pair 'of trans` verse members,steering Wheels swiveled on said auxiliary frame, two spaced pairs ofcross members secured to 'said main frame, and means for pivotallyAconnecting each transverse member of said auxiliary frame to each pairOt' said cross members of said. main frame, said means being in thelongitudinalmedian line of said main frame. 4

14. ln a tractor, a main frame, traction wheels mounted on said mainframe, an auxiliary frame comprising a pair oi transverse members and apair of longitudinal members, caster wheels .mounted on saidlongitudinal members, and studs pivotally connecting said transversememberslwith said main frame along the longitudinal median line of saidmain frame,

l5. lln a tractor, a main iframe comprising a pair' of longitudinalmembers addspaced pairs of cross members, an auxiliary trame, steeringwheels swiveled on said auxiliary spaced transverse members each pivotedbetween a pair of saidcross members at the longitudinal center of saidbeams, said spaced members having arms spaced apart to provide clearancefor said longitudinal members and permit said' auxiliary trame tooscillate.

lo. ln a tractor, a main frame comprising longitudinal members, anaiiXiliary frame pivoted to said main frame on a horizontal axisextending'along the longitudinal me- `diari line of said main frame,said auxiliary frame having arms curved to clear said longitudinalmembers during the oscillation of said auxiliary frame,

17. :i tractor comprising a main frame comprising two longitudinal bodymembers and two pairs of transverse members. an auxiliary frame havingtwo vertically spaced longitudinal side members located adjacent to eachof said longitudinal body members, a steering-wheel holder swiveledvertically in said longitudinal' side members near each side of saidmain frame, transverse members connected to the correspondingends ofsaid longitudinal side members, said last-mentioned transverse members'having arms straddling said longitudinal body members, and meanspivotally connecting said lastmentioned transverse members and saidfirstmentioned transverse members on a horilaontal axis extending'along` the longitudinal median line of said main frame` each ofv` aidlast-mentioned transverse members lyin,n between ay pair of saidfirst-mentioned transf,

verse members.

r i n A 18. lin a tractor, a platform. trame, two

l) trame, said auxiliary frame comprising,` two A llt) downwardlyextending pedestal frames secured to said platform frame near one end ofeach side thereof, a traction Wheel mounted on a short axle between thetwo pedestal vframes on each side of said platform frame,

brackets secured to the rear end of said frame, and other bracketssecured to said pedestal frames below the aXls of said traction wheels,said brackets being adapted to transmit the force vof the draft Vof said10 tractor. l

Signed at St. Louis, Missouri, this27th day of March, 1912. WILLIAM o;ZLLE.

Witnesses G. A, PENNINGTON, PAULINE AMBnRG.

